67 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Oh my God. I can't believe how I ever ignored my mother's suggestion to read this. This has to be one of the most beautiful, worthwhile, funny, and heartbreaking books I have EVER read-- and trust me, I read a lot. Louisa May Alcott is amazingly good at depicting the workings of a small family, and I teared up and/or cried at least five times while reading! As a young writer, I empathized with Jo March, but surely everyone will find some bit of themselves in every one of these four sisters and their "brother" Laurie-- they are some of the most human characterizations I have ever seen. Some believe this book is outdated, but I honestly do not care-- it is an amazing achievement, and those who do not read it due to length or the belief it is "boring" are missing out. Do yourself a favor and READ IT!

One of my all time favorite books and one of the books I have read and reread and re read. The characters are genuine and Alcott's ability to portray early American life in the North through the retelling of her life is wonderful. I have never felt as though I am reading an autobiography, yet when the book is finished, you will think about the fact the story is true. Realistic and a read you will not forget.

A condensed version of a classic.
"Little Women" is a book I read numerous times as I grew up, and thoroughly enjoyed.
This smaller, "condensed" version of this wonderful book was the perfect way to introduce the book to my daughter, before she was old enough to tackle the full version.

It creates an interest in the characters and story - just enough to whet their appetite
for more "grown up literature".

Does anyone NOT know how this book ends? It's like "Titanic": you know already, but you go through the story anyway. After all, it's the journey, not the destination, right?

This is a sweet story about four girls during the American Civil War who have various adventures, fall in love, miss their father, and bond as a family. It's sad, happy, nostalgic, sentimental, and a classic for a reason.

My second favorite book!(Black Beauty is 1st) Full of lovable and memorable characters, and living morals. An assortment of personalities all with their faults and adorning traits. My favorite books work like a good sermon to me. They leave me leaping inside to trample my own faults while loving to cultivate the good things in myself.

Returning to the world of the Marches through this childhood book was fun. I realized that the book reflected the values of the time. Of course, the first time I read it I was very young - a gift under the tree from my parents. At that time it seemed very grown up and fascinating. When I asked a 12-year-old member of the family what she thought she said she really liked it so I guess tastes haven't changed all that much. Guess that is why this one has become a children's classic.

I read this for the first time when I was about 11 years old - thats about 33 years ago. Have read it many times since. A classic novel about a family of four sisters, their mother and friends living in New England during the Civil War. Love it.

A classic that never grows old. Enjoyable and full of great "family" issues. While written that a young adult can enjoy it, there's nothing wrong with an adult reading it too. If you have never read this, now is a great time to enjoy a beautiful story of family life, full of all it's fears and joys. The writings of Louisa May Alcott can never be criticized in my opinion, and this stands the test. Great story, great writing!

Meet the March sisters: the talented and tomboyish Jo, the beautiful Meg, the frail Beth, and the spoiled Amy, as they pass through the years between girlhood and womanhood. A lively portrait of growing up in the 19th century with lasting vitality and enduring charm.

I reread this childhood favorite recently. This time I was much more aware of it's cloying moralising tone, but the story is still sweet and the characters still timeless. A bit dated but still a good read, even for an adult.

Imagine a house full of sisters....Meg, the oldest is a litlle bit serious, but always ready to join the fun. Beth is quiet and sweet, and happy to have so many sisters. Amy, with her golden curls, is the youngest and wants everything her way. And then there's Jo. Jo, who writes stories and makes up games...who loves to laugh and make everybody laugh with her. Jo, who makes up her own mind-- no matter what!

The good-natured March girls - Meg, Jo, Beht and Amy - manage to lead interesting lives despite Father's absence at war and the family's lack of money. Whether they're making plans for putting on a play or forming a secret society, their gaiety is infectious and even Laurie next door is swept up in their enthusiasm. Written from Louisa May Alcott's own experiences, this is a remarkable story.

This was such a very well written book. The words throughout it were so captivating. I loved how well described the characters and their feelings were. It made me feel as though I was living in their time period. I really enjoyed learning a bit of what life was like in that time. The bonds of family were very strong in this book. I really loved the speeches that Mrs. March gave from time to time. Although she didn't say very much, she said everything so wonderfully. I truly admired her. It was great to see how Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy each lived. They all had their own story and held me in to understanding what their feelings were or why they acted in different ways. Although I feel the ending was a bit unrealistic, it was interesting! I especially loved the first half of the book and the romantic tales throughout the book.

i don't know what to say. this is just a really good book. it may take place in a time that is far from here but the family dynamic is the important part and this book will always have a place in my heart, it was that touching.

I read Little women at least 100 times as a tween and teen and I never had this beautiful gift copy with beautiful color pictures of the March sisters and their mother, Marmee.T his story is about the struggle of 4 teen age sisters and their mother, Marmee in Concord, Massachusetts during the civil war. Once a wealthy family now poor and their dad a minister gone off to war. Will mr March come back come.Will the girls marry for love or for money. This story mirrors Louisa May Alcotts own life story and this is one of the best books and a classic that I have ever read.

from back of book:
Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth are four "little women" growing up in New England during the Civil War. The March sisters share everything--their joys and pain, their loves and secrets. But the four girls couldn't be more different. Meg, the oldest, is the sensible one. Jo is funny and mischevious. Beth is the shy, dreamy one, and Amy is pretty and artistic.
Follow the March girls as they grow into wonderful young women and share the events of their lives: Meg's first dance, Amy's punishment in school, the return of thier father from the war, Jo's fury with her sisters when her precious diary is burned, the family wedding, Beth's tragic illness, and more. Their story has become one of the most popular books ever written!

I have not read this book in a long time and I just remember that the first time I read it, I did not like Amy at all because I wanted Jo and Laurie to be together. Even this time through it took me a little bit to get over my prejudice for Amy. But this time through I am a little bit older and wiser and I see the true characters that Alcott created and I am happy with the way they are matched. I loved the wisdom that Mrs. March shared with her girls as they grew into women and I found their trials and lessons amusing and true to this day. It is a wonderful book.

Little Women is one of my all-time favorite books and while I'm disappointed the Whole Story version has only the first half of the story, the illustrations and background info provided in this version makes it one worth having.

This is a classic. I wanted to read this because I feel like everyone has read it except me. Dumb reason. The story is about the March family who live in New England in the late 1800s. The book is based on the Alcott family. The book is actually a combination of 2 parts. It is almost 500 pages long. The writing is very good. The story is very lame. I had to force myself to read it. There were some Chapters I enjoyed. But for the most part, it was a struggle for me to get through. I am glad I read it because now I can say I have. It did portray the era in an interesting light. These people had nothing to do. Their life was boring. Especially if you are poor (and they are). The sisters are interesting. Jo is the focus of the story (really Louisashould be an autobiography classification).Everyone loves her character. I think she is OK. The older daughter, (Meg) marries the neighbors professor (Brooks). She is an OK character. Beth is the weak one. Very family oriented. Sad that she dies. Amy is the youngest. I dont like her. I find it very hard to swallow that she marries Laurie and Jo (Lauries real love) handles it so well. That story line is pretty hard to believe. I am glad I read this but it is definitely not one of my favorites

"Little Women is one of the best-loved books of all time. Lovely Meg, talented Jo, frail Beth, spoiled Amy: these are the four March sisters, who learn the hard lessons of poverty and of growing up in New England during the Civil War. Through their dreams, plays, pranks, letters, illnesses, and courtships, women of all ages have become a part of this remarkable family. Based on Louisa May Alcott's childhood, this lively portrait of nineteenth-century family life possesses a lasting vitality that has endeared it from generation to generation."